Why do we gather every October 31st to dress up, knock on doors, and revel in the spooky, the playful, and the strange?
In this special Halloween episode, Emily Paulsen speaks with Lesley Bannatyne, one of the world’s foremost authorities on Halloween, author of multiple books including Halloween Nation, and a scholar who has traced the holiday’s evolution from ancient Celtic rites to today’s billion-dollar industry. Lesley has appeared everywhere from Time Magazine to National Geographic, and her work unpacks not only the history of Halloween but also what it reveals about us as a culture.
Their conversation dives into the roots of Samhain in pre-Christian Europe, the role the church played in shaping the holiday, and how immigration, mischief, and even Hollywood horror films transformed Halloween into the modern spectacle we know today. Along the way, they explore why costumes, horror movies, and haunted houses hold such a grip on our imagination, and how this one night continues to mirror our cultural anxieties, creativity, and collective need for ritual.
This episode is for anyone who has ever felt the thrill of stepping into another identity, wondered where trick-or-treating really came from, or simply wanted to understand why Halloween endures as one of the most captivating nights of the year.
This is a Halloween special you won’t want to miss! Just the right mix of history, mystery, and a little seasonal magic.
For more Halloween fun, including a bonus episode, join Emily at:
https://curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.substack.com/
Key Takeaways
History has layers: Halloween’s origins trace back to Samhain, a Celtic festival marking the shift from summer to winter, later reshaped by Christian traditions like All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.
Trick-or-treating evolved: What began as door-to-door begging and sharing of food became structured mischief control in the 20th century, giving rise to the candy-fueled ritual we know today.
Adults reclaimed Halloween: In the 1970s, nostalgia and the rise of horror films brought adults back into the holiday, sparking costume parties, haunted houses, and an explosion of Halloween culture.
Horror has a purpose: From films to haunted attractions, scary stories provide a safe way to face fear, build resilience, and even create communal bonding through shared adrenaline.
Reflection of society: Halloween always adapts, whether costumes get bloodier, sexier, or more ironic, the holiday mirrors cultural values, anxieties, and creativity in each generation.
___
Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way.
Learn more about Emily at: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com
Connect on Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman
___
The guest on this episode, Lesley Bannatyne, is one of the country’s leading experts on Halloween, author of Halloween Nation and other definitive works on the holiday’s history and cultural significance. Her research has been featured in The New York Times, National Geographic, and The History Channel.
Connect with Lesley:
Website: www.iskullhalloween.com